My first ever build - Leader 725

Note: Final completed bike pictures are on page 2

So, this was my first ever build.

Having been hit by a car and my Langster being destroyed and getting a nice cheque to the sum of £500, I decided not to be a boring fart. So I built something a little more special. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures. One in fact. At the moment. And it is crap. But I am really happy with the bike and especially with how it rides. I did recycle some of the parts from the Langster because I was on a pretty tight student budget. But I am still chuffed to bits. I did actually want a black fork though so recycling the Langster fork made perfect sense.

Parts list:

Leader 725 frame
Tange headset (not sure of the model)
Halo Aerotrack front and rear
Vittoria Rubino Pro on the front. Vittoria Randonneur Pro on the back
Tektro R320 front brake
Sugino Messenger crankset
MKS Stream pedals
Dirty Harry black leaver
Recycled Langster fork cause I'm cheap
Deda Velocita drops
Izumi standard chain
Recycled seat post cause I'm cheap
Bontrager Race stem because my LBS had nothing else and I was desperate due to the fact that my Cinelli Pista stem didn't fit the bars I'd already purchased.
Lastly some naff saddle that needs replacing.

Anyway, really happy. And thanks to any forum members that helped me. And mainly AndyL for pointing me in the direction of Leader in the first place. God damn I love that frame!

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Looking good mate, chain looks a bit slack tho. Not nit picking but you might want to tighten it up a bit.

And get some clips :-)

hey man, just building mine up too- need a wheelset and im... set.

going to put a pic up in here to show my version. love that lime colour- jelous!

Already have done since the picture was taken ;-) Got clips too. They're just hella ugly. So didn't want to take any pictures with them on either. Gonna wait till I have some nicer one :-) God damn I love this bike! Only change I need is to get that Bontrager headset right off. It is so level. The Cinelli had a lovely drop to it!

Already have done since the picture was taken ;-) Got clips too. They're just hella ugly. So didn't want to take any pictures with them on either. Gonna wait till I have some nicer one :-) God damn I love this bike! Only change I need is to get that Bontrager headset right off. It is so level. The Cinelli had a lovely drop to it!

Good stuff matey, as long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters.

Tightening the chain made a huge difference. I hadn't ridden it with the chain tightened since I last posted on this thread. Not to sound ridiculously cheesy, but I now feel that the bike and I are one entity when I'm riding it if you know what I mean? In complete control. I never. EVER felt that on the nasty Langster. It is so much smoother, feels like I'm riding on thin air ;-)

I know exactly what you mean, I've only been riding fixed for a few days and loving it so far.

Doubt anyone cares but I have taken a proper picture!

I really am just chuffed to bits with it. Apart from the saddle. **Need **to replace that saddle!

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Nice build, but as you say, MUST get rid of the saddle!

How are you finding the Velocita's for the road? I have a pair under the bed and not sure whether to fit them to the new build or stick with risers. Where did you get the oversize Dirt Harry from also?

It is one ugly son of a bitch isn't it. It shall be removed, hopefully, at the beginning of next month. As much as I like the shape of them, they aren't the most comfortable bars for cycling on the road. They are almost 'too' track orientated. I would prefer something that was a little wider, before it drops. And something where the drops maybe aren't so low. But on the track, which I am yet to take it on, they would be fantastic. I think something like a pair of Deda Pistas would suit me more, but that is just personal preference. Luckily I was given the bars and didn't pay for them so not too bothered at the moment.

I wasn't aware that it was oversized, but I got it from my LBS which is in Addlestone, outside of London.

Looks absolutelt awesome, that green should realy stand out

I know exactly what you mean, I've only been riding fixed for a few days and loving it so far.

love the bike

Get road drops with hoods on this and it will not only look boss but will be so so much more comfortable.

Also you wont have to ride with your hands right by the stem just to use the brake.

But I only have a front brake so one hood will look ridiculous? It actually is quite comfortable. It wasn't when I did a 30 mile ride the other day. That shit made my hands go numb. But my daily commute is only a six mile round trip and its fine for that....Not sure what I think about road drops on a track geometry kinda bike...

Nice bike, get hoods, replace saddle, reminds me of this :)

But I only have a front brake so one hood will look ridiculous? It actually is quite comfortable. It wasn't when I did a 30 mile ride the other day. That shit made my hands go numb. But my daily commute is only a six mile round trip and its fine for that....Not sure what I think about road drops on a track geometry kinda bike...

I have a track bike with road bars and hoods. It looks awesome. You only need to rig up one of the levers and leave the other one as a dummy lever.

Superjoe did it recently to his awesome bridgestone and it looks boss. Not sure where the pics are.

Except he's brakeless. This bike is rapidly becoming one of my very favourites.

That admittedly does look very cool. Got a pair of road bars at home with hoods on them already so may as well try it!

Will have a play when I'm home and see how it looks ;-)

Also, really don't know what saddle to get as a replacement. Thinking of a turbo but that's a bit uninspired and I'm not sure it would suit. Any ideas?

Slr

Slr

I am not made of cash! Put on some road bars, it looks sooooooo much better! :-) So thanks for the tip. Will be getting a new stem that doesn't say specialized on it tomorrow, and some new tape and I will be well on my way to having the almost perfect bike for me ;-)

Get a pic up!

Not when there is no bar tape I will not! May get a new saddle tomorrow too. I will complete! Can't and won't be able to afford anything really sexy though :-( Pic will be up tomorrow fo' sho'

Get road drops with hoods on this and it will not only look boss but will be so so much more comfortable.

Also you wont have to ride with your hands right by the stem just to use the brake.

I like the saddle. But the brake lever and drops are retarded. I bet you never even use the drop part?

nice build man! i would change the saddle to arione or selle italia flite, that's just me tho